Thank You Mom

I remember right before I started Drivers ed one of my mother’s best friend’s father was a victim killed in a tragic accident where a drunk driver plowed into his car. I found out the news when I got home from school and I found my mother trembling erratically with tears streaming down her face. After describing what had occurred, she faintly, but emphatically told me, “Please, Liam, never ever drive even after one drink. I don’t care how much trouble you are in or where you need to go, do not get behind the wheel.” But really stuck with me was what my father told me later that night, “You see how devastated your mother is over someone she never even met? Imagine how devastated she would be if she lost you in an accident like that.” That image of my mother remains tattooed in my brain and always acts as a firm reminder of how quickly things can get bad.

Driver’s Education was a time not only where I learned the rules of the road, but was also a warning for the undefined road ahead. In an effort to help decrease the umber of fatal accidents, my teacher showed a series of graphic accidents where people were “driving distracted” and getting into deadly crashes. While many parents argued that their children shouldn’t be subjected to this kind of footage, I felt it was necessary for me to cement in my mind that I could end someone’s life, or even my own, in a matter of seconds. 

On top of ensuring each individual has had proper Drivers ed, the laws behind texting and driving and drunk driving need to be strengthened. Even something as simple as having the technology and laws to disable phones for everything other than GPS and emergency calls would significantly reduce the number of distracted drivers, and, therefore, the number of fatalities on the road.

I have been in one car accident as a passenger. My friend’s mother was driving me and my friends to camp back in elementary school and as we slowed down for a red light, ironically enough, a police officer texting and driving rear ended us. 

Through my experiences, I’ve realized you must always abide by the rules of the road; even simply having the passenger navigate with their cell phone or putting your phone on “do not disturb,” will help cut down on the number of fatalities every year. The passengers of the vehicle must also be aware of their impact on the driver, direct him/her toward making good choices, and not be a distraction. As my parents always said to me when I drove with my permit, “People drive like nuts,” so be defensive when driving so you’re always prepared for the worst. Remember that no friend or family member wants to be placed under the devastation of your death. Keep that in mind, just like how I always keep my mother in mind.